St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church, Charleston

St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church, Charleston

In 1873, the Reformed Episcopal denomination was established when it separated from the Protestant Episcopal Church due to the latter's refusal to train and ordain black ministers. The movement found its way to the Charleston area the following year when Reverend Peter Stevens, a white Confederate Army veteran, began organizing groups of black freedmen throughout the Lowcountry.

One of these groups convened in a house, and it was there that Saint John's congregation took shape in 1906. In a city still grappling with its deep-seated racism, the black parishioners sought solace and community through worship. However, it wasn't until 1971 that Saint John's found a new home in this Gothic Revival building on Anson Street, a structure of historical significance in its own right.

Constructed in 1850 by black freedmen and slaves who were part of the Presbyterian community, the church became the site of a significant revival in Charleston in 1857. At a time when the nation was on the brink of its bloodiest conflict, blacks and whites, slaves and freedmen, came together in this church to pray and sing hymns side by side.

In the 1880s, the church underwent renovations that added transepts, a Gothic frame ceiling, and 14 stained glass windows. According to records from the Historic Charleston Foundation, many of the church's interior features, including stenciled decorations and gilded Gothic elements, have been preserved by the Saint John's congregation.

On the church grounds, there is a beautifully landscaped garden dedicated to honoring church member Philip Simmons, a renowned Charleston ironworker. Simmons was the designer of the "Heart Gate" that serves as the entrance to this garden.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Charleston. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church on Map

Sight Name: St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church
Sight Location: Charleston, USA (See walking tours in Charleston)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Charleston, South Carolina

Create Your Own Walk in Charleston

Create Your Own Walk in Charleston

Creating your own self-guided walk in Charleston is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Charleston Introduction Walking Tour

Charleston Introduction Walking Tour

A popular tourist destination and a major port city in South Carolina, Charleston is fit to impress anyone with its Southern charm, friendliness, and rich history. Founded in 1670 as Charles Town, honoring King Charles II of England, this was the first comprehensively planned town in America.

The city's significance in American history is tied to its role as a key slave trading port. The...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Harleston Village Walking Tour

Harleston Village Walking Tour

Founded in the 18th century, the historic Harleston Village is a charming neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina. The rich past and vibrant present of this area make it a popular destination for tourists.

At the heart of Harleston Village lies the College of Charleston, an esteemed institution of higher learning, established in 1770, adding a great deal of academic flair to the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Historical Houses Tour

Historical Houses Tour

Charleston is steeped in history. Walking the colorful, narrow cobblestone streets of one of America's oldest towns, with its stunningly preserved colonial homes, you can see its story play out before your eyes practically everywhere you turn. Indeed, Charleston is among the most celebrated places in the U.S. to explore fine examples of American architecture and its progression through time.
...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Downtown Historical Churches Tour

Downtown Historical Churches Tour

Charleston, South Carolina, is also sometimes called the “Holy City.” This is due to the large number of churches found here. Needless to say, the most fascinating of them are concentrated in the Downtown area, each with its unique charm and significance.

Among such temples of distinction is Saint Matthew's Church, an enduring symbol of Charleston's German Lutheran community. Its...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
French Quarter Walking Tour

French Quarter Walking Tour

A historic district in downtown Charleston, The French Quarter is named so for the high concentration of French merchants that once lived in the area and left their mark on it. The name was coined in 1973, when preservation efforts began for warehouse buildings on the Lodge Alley block. That same year the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The busy neighbourhood...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles